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Chicago Tribune: Investigation of AT&T contracts in probe orbiting Michael Madigan centers on funds to lobbyists and former state rep, sources say
Consulting funds flowing from AT&T to a lobbyist with deep ties to then-House Speaker Michael Madigan and eventually to a former state representative are at the center of a federal investigation into the telephone giant’s lobbying practices in Springfield, the Tribune has learned.
Last month, AT&T disclosed in a regulatory filing that federal prosecutors had notified them they were considering filing criminal charges against its Illinois subsidiary, formally known as Illinois Bell Telephone Co. LLC, involving “a single, nine-month consulting contract in 2017″ worth $22,500.
The Center Square: Pritzker touts federal COVID funds, Republicans warn of record inflation
Gov. J.B. Pritzker testified to a U.S. House committee Tuesday about the myriad of uses for COVID-19 relief funds federal taxpayers sent to Illinois.
Republicans say the spending is leading to record inflation and there needs to be more oversight at the state level.
Better Government Association: Former Veterans Affairs Chief Wrote Checks Totalling $50,000 to Her Mom From Her Political Fund
The former head of the state’s Veterans’ Affairs office used her political campaign fund to write two checks totaling $50,000 to her mother last month, a move state elections officials say could be a violation of state election laws.
Linda Chapa LaVia said the checks — logged as January expenditures in her required campaign filings — were to repay a loan her mother made to help her start her political career about two decades ago.
The Center Square: House passes measure some say mandates COVID-19 vaccines for teachers
A measure some say codifies a vaccine mandate for teachers if they want open-ended administrative leave for COVID-related issues passed the Illinois House.
State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, said her measure, House Bill 1167, is similar to a previous measure that passed both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support last year, but was vetoed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
CBS 2 Chicago: 2 Downstate Illinois Children Dead Despite Prior DCFS Involvement With Families, Raising New Questions About Agency
They were supposed to be protected by the Department of Children and Family Services, but instead, two children from downstate Illinois have died in the last month.
As CBS 2’s Chris Tye reported Tuesday, it is all raising new questions about the department’s ability to protect Illinois’ most vulnerable.
The Center Square: Some question if political science was part of relaxing COVID-19 mandates in Illinois
While some say the science of COVID-19 has led to Illinois lifting its mask mandate in most places, including schools and daycare settings, others say the move has more to do with political science.
Two years ago, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration said COVID-19 wasn’t a threat to the general public. On Tuesday, Pritzker reflected on how quickly that changed.
FOX Illinois: Teachers union welcomes lifting of school mask mandate
A teachers union in Illinois is on board with the lifting of the mask mandate at schools in the state.
The Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) says it has been a long two years dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.